World's Oldest Person, 116-Year-Old Japanese Woman, Passes Away

SEAToday.com, Tokyo – Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest person, has passed away at the age of 116, an official from Ashiya city confirmed on Saturday (1/4).

Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official responsible for elderly policies, reported that Itooka passed away on December 29 at a care facility in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Born on May 23, 1908, Itooka, who had a fondness for bananas and a Japanese yogurt drink called Calpis, became the world’s oldest person last year after the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

When informed that she was at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings, Itooka humbly responded with, “Thank you.”

Last year, Itooka marked her birthday with a celebration that included flowers, a cake, and a card from the mayor.

Originally from Osaka, Itooka was a volleyball player in high school and was known for her lively spirit, according to Nagata. She even climbed the 3,067-meter Mount Ontake twice.

Itooka married at the age of 20 and had two daughters and two sons, as reported by Guinness.

During World War II, she managed the office of her husband’s textile factory. After his death in 1979, she lived alone in Nara.

She is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. A funeral service with family and close friends was held, Nagata confirmed.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, the title of the world’s oldest person is now held by 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Itooka.